Gambling has been a popular source of entertainment for many years as players were given the opportunity to place bets in a number of land-based casinos all over the world. However, ever since the online casinos have emerged, it seems like this type of activity is thriving even more. It is no longer necessary to be physically present at a particular casino in order to enjoy the exciting games it offers.
The incredible advancement of the technological world offers so many opportunities in every aspect, especially when it comes to online casinos. Blackjack, baccarat, roulette, poker, craps, slots are among the casino classics which you can enjoy at the most comfortable spot for you. Most online casinos work around-the-clock which enables you to choose the most convenient time for you to play.
Without doubt, the online casinos have a lot to offer and this is the reason why they are on the rise. In order to manage to provide a wide range of top-notch games, every online casino cooperates with a reliable software supplier. Some online casinos have teamed up with more than one provider in an attempt to offer second-to-none games in terms of diversity and quality.
The software supplier, a particular online casino uses, plays a crucial role for your online gambling experience. It can be a great indicator for you to get a general idea of the available online games and their quality. Thus, it is recommended to get familiar with the most leading software suppliers in the online gambling industry so you know what to look for.
The Important Role of the Software Provider
Software providers are responsible for developing high-quality games which the online casinos can offer to its players. Their aim is to satisfy not only its casino customers but also the end-users. Thanks to them you can enjoy a broad selection of casino games without having to go all the way to a brick and mortar casino.
What is more, some of the software suppliers have developed various exclusive versions thanks to which you can experience your favourite game in a completely different way. The virtual nature of the online games won’t deprive you of the high-quality gambling experience you normally gain when you are at a land-based casino. Quite the contrary, you will be able to get even more entertained and excited while playing.
The online casinos that are in partnership with a leading software provider offer a number of diverse games which also impress with their excellent quality. Their realistic graphics and sound effects greatly contribute to the pleasant gambling experience you are able to gain from playing them.
Another type of games which is available to you thanks to the efforts and hard work of the software providers are the live dealer games. Without a doubt, they are among the games which every passionate player should try as they have proven to be extremely entertaining and exciting. Live dealer games are conducted in real time by a professional dealer, meaning that you are able to experience the whole gambling process in the same way as if you were at a land-based casino.
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Leading Software Providers
Nowadays there are various reputable software providers which have proven to be extremely innovative when it comes to online games. They spare no effort and time in order to develop exciting casino games which players will love. Every self-respected software supplier is unique and has something different to offer. This way, the online casinos can select the software supplier that suits their needs and demands best and deliver an ultimate gambling experience. Some of the most renowned names in the online gambling industry are Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech, IGT, Betsoft, Evolution Gaming and others. All of these software suppliers are famous for having produced various unique casino games that have many exclusive features, great visual effects and beautiful design.
Microgaming
Microgaming is one of the leading software suppliers which is famous on a global scale for various reasons. The company takes credit for developing software for the first online casino back in 1994. With so many years of valuable experience, it is no wonder that today a great number of online casinos opt for its services.
This software supplier has managed to produce a broad selection of various casino games, including roulette, blackjack, video slots and video poker, some of which can be played in real time with a live dealer. The online games, Microgaming offers, are simply one-of-a-kind in terms of quality, graphics and diversity. The company has made sure that every single aspect of its games is impeccable so that the end-users can get an unprecedented online gambling experience every time they plan.
Besides a number of casino classics, the software company also offers many exclusive variations of some of the most popular casino games. This only shows its dedication and intentions to not only meet the expectations of its casino clients but also surpass them. Roulette fans will be delighted to find out that thanks to Microgaming, they can enjoy 3D roulette, progressive jackpot roulette called Roulette Royal and Multi-Wheel Roulette.
For the many slots enthusiasts, this software provider has especially developed various progressive jackpot variations, including Mega Moolah, Major Millions, King Cashalot and more. When it comes to blackjack, the company offers exclusive gold series which include games such as Perfect Pairs, Spanish Blackjack, Vegas Strip Blackjack and others. More than 50 video poker variations have been developed, some of which can be played in Expert Mode. Microgaming is also famous for providing exclusive Playboy-themed games which are operated in real time by attractive female dealers.
Playtech
Playtech is another software provider which is worth mentioning when it comes to high-quality casino games. It has been present in the online gambling industry for many years which has surely contributed to the excellent online games it offers today. Its online games are loved by many players as they stand out with their crisp graphics and authentic sounds.
Thanks to the incredible features these games have, you are able to completely immerse in your favourite variation and experience it like never before. Its first but not only priority has always been to provide the end users with nothing but the best online gambling experience. The company was established in 1999 and ever since, it has been working on improving and developing its gaming products.
As a result, a number of exclusive versions were created which gained popularity extremely fast among many players. Slots enthusiasts can try some of the progressive jackpot slots, including Age of Gods, Goddess of Wisdom, Furious 4, Fate Sisters, Prince of Olympus and others. The software provider also offers many DC-based progressive slots such as Man of Steel, Superman, Batman and the Joker Jewels and others.
If your favourite game is roulette, you have the chance to win big by playing a progressive jackpot variation such as Marvel Roulette. Lucky Blackjack and Blackjack Switch are among the variations of blackjack which are exclusively provided by this software supplier. Video poker, baccarat and craps’ fans are also given the opportunity to enjoy their favourite game with realistic graphics and excellent visual effects.
Playtech at a Glance | |
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In Business Since | 1999 |
Headquartered In | Douglas, Isle of Man |
Licenced By |
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Certified By | Technical Systems Testing (TST) |
Key Acquisitions | Quickspin in 2016 Eyecon in 2017 |
Notable Awards |
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Game Categories | Video slots, video poker, bingo, poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, instant win games, live dealer games, progressive jackpots |
Number of Games | 800 |
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NetEnt
NetEnt is among the most respected game development companies in the online gambling industry. The brand’s history started almost twenty years ago but it has greatly expanded the scope of its operations since it first launched. NetEnt’s catalogue is currently available at more than 200 online casinos, including major UK-licensed brands like Casumo and 32Red.
The company’s games have become a benchmark for playability and premium quality thanks to their fine-tuned interface, amazing graphics, and stunning animations that deliver great aesthetic pleasure to all players. NetEnt is highly regarded for its collection of branded slot releases which includes massively successful titles like The Invisible Man, Jimi Hendrix, Narcos, Vikings, and Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen. The Stockholm-based company also operates one of the largest pooled progressive jackpot networks in the world. The jackpot suite comprises record-breaking slots like Mega Fortune, Mega Fortune Dreams, Arabian Nights, and Hall of Gods.
The bulk of the NetEnt portfolio consists of feature-packed video slots but the company has also released various authentically rendered table games over the years. NetEnt was streaming live dealer games like blackjack and roulette from its dedicated studios but rival Evolution Gaming shut them down after it acquired the company in late 2020. NetEnt currently operates as part of the Evolution family of software brands, which also includes Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming, and Ezugi.
NetEnt at a Glance | |
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In Business Since | 1996 |
Headquartered In | Stockholm, Sweden |
Licenced By |
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Certified By | eCOGRA |
Key Acquisitions | Acquired Red Tiger in 2019 Was acquired by Evolution Gaming in 2020 |
Notable Awards |
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Game Categories | Video slots, branded slots, progressive jackpots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, video poker |
Number of Games | 200 |
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Pragmatic Play
Pragmatic Play is an award-winning supplier of premium casino gaming content whose products are available to players from more than 20 regulated markets. Established in 2015, the company boasts an outstanding offering that spans over 300 distinctive titles at the time of publication, including hugely popular online slots like Gates of Olympus, Big Bass Bonanza, Wolf Gold, and Hot Safari.
The software studio launched its Drops & Wins campaign in early 2020 and it went on to become a massive success. Unique to Pragmatic Play, this ongoing campaign enables players to participate in daily or weekly tournaments at affiliated online casinos. Some of the best slot titles released by the studio are part of the initiative, which further contributes to its popularity among players.
The renowned software supplier delivers premium content across several verticals, including virtual sports, bingo, online slots, and sports betting. In 2018, Pragmatic Play sealed a deal with Novomatic for the acquisition of Extreme Live Gaming. The purchase allowed the company to expand to yet another vertical by adding a range of live dealer tables to its growing catalogue.
The titles from the live dealer suite are particularly exciting to play as many of them offer bespoke twists on classic table games like roulette and blackjack. The betting action is transmitted in real time directly from Pragmatic Play’s dedicated studios, allowing desktop and mobile players to fully immerse themselves in the live gaming experience. PowerUp Roulette, Blackjack Azure, Mega Wheel, and Boom City are the most popular titles from the suite but the rest of the live tables are also worth giving a shot.
Pragmatic Play at a Glance | |
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In Business Since | 2015 |
Headquartered In | Sliema, Malta |
Licenced By |
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Certified By | BMM Testlabs Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) |
Key Acquisitions |
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Notable Awards |
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Game Categories | Video slots, bingo, blackjack, baccarat, scratchcards, progressive jackpots, live dealer games |
Number of Games | 300 |
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Big Time Gaming
Big Time Gaming started over a decade ago as a small game house founded by Nik Robinson, Huw McIntosh, and Ian Schmidt. The three Aussies apparently knew what they were doing since their company quickly established itself as a global leader in the field of online slot development. The highly acclaimed studio pioneered a new mechanic that irrevocably transformed the way modern video slots pay and play.
Known as Megaways, this innovative mechanic allows for thousands of possible winning combinations on each spin. The games from this category use a groundbreaking random reel modifier that causes the number of symbols to change on each round. The company debuted its first Megaways slot, Dragon Born, in 2016 and saw it become an overnight success in the online gambling community.
The game can produce up to 117,649 winning ways on a single round of play but newer Big Time Gaming releases like Rasputin Megaways can yield 2,985,984 possible combinations per spin. Rival studios quickly took notice of Big Time’s groundbreaking reel modifier and started incorporating it into their own creations.
The Aussie company licences its industry-changing mechanic to major players on the market like Blueprint Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Playtech, and Relax Gaming. In the meantime, Evolution Gaming continued with its acquisition spree by adding Big Time Gaming to its growing family of software brands at the cost of £389 million (€450 million).
Big Time Gaming at a Glance | |
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In Business Since | 2011 |
Headquartered In | New South Wales, Australia |
Licenced By |
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Certified By | eCOGRA |
Key Acquisitions | Was acquired by Evolution Gaming in 2011 |
Notable Awards | Game of the Year (2022 Gam3 Awards) |
Game Categories | Video slots, Megaways slots |
Number of Games | 50 |
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Play’n GO
Play’n GO was created by a group of gaming experts whose expertise and business acumen show in every single game the studio has released since its launch in 2005. A couple of years later, the acclaimed company joined the mobile gaming revolution by launching some of the first cross-compatible casino games in history. The supplier has earned multiple awards for the excellence of its mobile products and continues to dominate the mobile gaming arena to this day.
The Play’n GO catalogue has now expanded to feature north of 280 video and grid slots, including fan favourites like Moon Princess, Book of Dead, Diamond Vortex, and Reactoonz. Whether you prefer mythology and ancient civilisations or are keen on animals and fairytales, Play’n GO has got you covered with a broad range of themes. The supplier’s creations are overflowing with thrilling features like win clusters, multipliers, respins, scatters, wilds, bonus games, and free spins.
The popularity of titles like Gunslinger Reloaded, Fruit Bonanza, and Bell of Fortune is further boosted by their life-changing progressive jackpots. Play’n GO is no stranger to developing authentic table games, either. The studio has launched several releases from this category over the years, including European Roulette Pro, Casino Stud Poker, Single Deck Blackjack, and Mini Baccarat. The games are equipped with useful functionalities like fast play, multi-hand mode, and statistics.
Play’n GO at a Glance | |
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In Business Since | 2005 |
Headquartered In | Växjö, Sweden |
Licenced By |
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Certified By | BMM Test Labs, Quinnel, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) |
Key Acquisitions | Acquired Proactive Gaming in 2018 |
Notable Awards |
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Game Categories | Video slots, grid slots, video bingo, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, progressive jackpots, keno |
Number of Games | 290 |
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Yggdrasil
Yggdrasil is a leading software provider from Sweden that has been supplying premium gaming content to online casinos since 2013. The Stockholm-based company has successfully expanded its footprint to 24 regulated markets, including the UK, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, and Finland. The company is largely regarded as a powerhouse in the iGaming industry and partners with many major brands, including LeoVegas, Betway, and William Hill.
The supplier specialises predominantly in the development of high-end online slots. At the time of publication, its catalogue comprises over 250 premium slot releases, including player favourites like Tut’s Twister, Nirvana, Cazino Zeppelin, and Vikings Go to Hell. Progressive jackpots are available in more than a dozen popular Yggdrasil releases, including Dr Fortuno, Joker Millions, and Holmes and the Stolen Stones.
Despite its focus on slots, Yggdrasil has launched several true-to-life table games over the years. Golden Chip Roulette, Sony Blackjack, and Lucky Blackjack are among the most prominent examples. The leading supplier cooperates with many up-and-coming independent game studios via the Yggdrasil Game Server (YGS) Masters programme launched in the spring of 2018. The programme enables the company’s operator partners to provide content from third-party suppliers like Northern Lights, Gamevy, and Rabcat, among several others.
In addition to crafting superior games, Yggdrasil provides a range of promo tools that aim to boost player engagement and improve the level of customer retention at affiliated online casinos. Yggdrasil’s operator partners can incorporate in-game slot tournaments and offer surprising cash drops to their customers.
Yggdrasil at a Glance | |
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In Business Since | 2013 |
Headquartered In | Stockholm, Sweden |
Licenced By |
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Certified By | Not specified |
Key Acquisitions | N/A |
Notable Awards |
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Game Categories | Video slots, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, progressive jackpots |
Number of Games | 250 |
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Relax Gaming
Founded in 2010, Relax Gaming is broadly considered one of the leading casino content providers in the industry. With over a decade of experience behind its back, the company has established itself as a key partner to heavy hitters like LeoVegas, Mr Green, and Casumo. It presently services operator partners from multiple regulated markets, including Great Britain, Ontario, Romania, and Greece.
The top-tier supplier caters to operators with a growing portfolio of online slots with versatile themes that resonate with a vast audience of players. Some of the most well-loved titles the company has released so far include Hot Rod Races, Templar Tumble, Snake Arena, and Money Train whose sequel, Money Train 2, was named Slot of the Year at the CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards in 2021.
Relax Gaming keeps up with the competition by offering several slot games that implement the Megaways payout mechanic. The most prominent examples from this category include The Great Pigsby Megaways and Temple Tumble Megaways. In 2022, the renowned supplier unveiled a new breed of online slots that offer enhanced winning potential with the launch of its Dream Drop Jackpots product. Games from the series feature five-tiered jackpots (Rapid, Midi, Maxi, Major, and Mega) and the prizes are guaranteed to hit whenever they escalate to specific amounts.
The Mega Jackpot is particularly appetising as the studio will level it up by €500,000 once every two wins until it reaches a cap of €10,000,000. It has been won five times so far and currently drops before it reaches €6,000,000. Grim the Splitter, Templar Tumble 2, Neko Night, Volatile Vikings, and Wild Chapo are all part of the Dream Drop Jackpot network. As for table games, Relax Gaming offers a somewhat underwhelming choice from Blackjack Neo and Roulette Nouveau only.
Relax Gaming at a Glance | |
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In Business Since | 2010 |
Headquartered In | Tallinn, Estonia |
Licenced By |
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Certified By | eCOGRA |
Key Acquisitions | Acquired by the Kindred Group in 2021 |
Notable Awards |
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Game Categories | Video slots, bingo, poker, roulette, jackpot games, blackjack |
Number of Games | 80 |
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Red Tiger Gaming
Red Tiger Gaming was established in 2014 by a group of industry experts with an impressive track record in the field of gaming content development. After nearly a decade of development, the Red Tiger portfolio has grown to encompass more than 250 topflight slots and table games but the studio continues to roll out new games each month.
The catalogue of this prolific software provider features top-performing slot releases like Fa Fa Babies, Jingle Ways, Dynamite Riches, and Dragon’s Fire. The company may lack experience compared to industry veterans like Playtech and Microgaming but its creations captivate players with their innovative features, immersive graphics, and great animations.
The award-winning software studio unveiled its Daily Drop Jackpot network in early 2019 to great acclaim. All remote gambling operators who partner with the supplier can connect their casinos to the network and deliver additional excitement to their customers. The progressive jackpots pool across multiple Red Tiger slot titles and are guaranteed to hit once per day before a predetermined time, usually before 11 pm GMT. Taking this concept further, the supplier launched hourly must-drop jackpots later in the same year.
Apart from creating superior game content, Red Tiger provides robust back-office services that allow online casinos to monitor and manage multiple aspects of their operations. The fast-growing studio was acquired by the Swedish software giant NetEnt in 2019 but eventually joined the Evolution Gaming family of brands after Evolution purchased the Stockholm-based company the following year.
Red Tiger Gaming at a Glance | |
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In Business Since | 2014 |
Headquartered In | Saint Julian’s, Malta |
Licenced By |
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Certified By | eCOGRA |
Key Acquisitions | Was acquired by NetEnt in 2019 |
Notable Awards |
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Game Categories | Video slots, must-drop progressive jackpots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat |
Number of Games | 250 |
Recommended Red Tiger Casinos |
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Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming has pretty much created the blueprint for the development of premium live dealer solutions. The company’s live casino games have become a benchmark for superior quality and have earned it multiple accolades over the years, including eleven trophies for Live Casino Supplier of the Year at the annual EGR B2B Awards.
A global powerhouse in this field, Evolution further reaffirms its excellent reputation by working with some of the biggest online gambling brands on the UK market. The most prominent names on the company’s roster of clients include Betway, Casumo, LeoVegas, Paddy Power, William Hill, and Unibet. It is no coincidence all major UK-licenced operators opt for the services of Evolution Gaming.
The company operates over 200 live tables located in multiple state-of-the-art studios strewn across Europe. Some games utilise the dual-play format and stream directly from the floors of luxurious landbased properties like the Hippodrome Grand Casino in London. The live tables come with flexible enough limits to meet the needs of all players. Bets at some UK-friendly casinos start at £0.10 only and can reach £10,000 or more in certain cases.
Notable titles from the Evolution Gaming live portfolio include Instant Roulette, Immersive Roulette, Lightning Blackjack, Speed Baccarat, Lightning Baccarat, Mega Sic Bo, and Caribbean Stud Poker. Many of these games support side wagers and feature payout multipliers that greatly enhance their winning potential and entertainment value.
The acclaimed software provider also offers multiple game shows hosted by chatty live presenters, including Crazy Time, Dream Catcher, Mega Ball, and Monopoly Live. Thanks to a series of strategic acquisitions that took place in recent years, Evolution Gaming now markets gaming products under several major brand names, including NetEnt, Nolimit City, Big Time Gaming, Ezugi, and Red Tiger.
Evolution Gaming at a Glance | |
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In Business Since | 2006 |
Headquartered In | Stockholm, Sweden |
Licenced By |
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Certified By | eCOGRA |
Key Acquisitions | Ezugi (2018), NetEnt (2020), Red Tiger Gaming (2020), Big Time Gaming (2021), DigiWheel (2021), Nolimit City (2022) |
Notable Awards |
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Game Categories | Live blackjack, live roulette, live baccarat, live craps, live game shows, live casino poker |
Number of Games | 200+ live and first-person table games |
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FAQ
Why is it important to check the software provider a particular online casino uses?
It is always a good idea to consider the software supplier, the respective online casino partners with, for several reasons. The software provider in use can be a great indicator of the online games you will be able to find on the casino website and it can give you a general idea what to expect. Since the quality, graphics and diversity of the games depend entirely on this third-party company, it is safe to conclude that your online gambling experience is determined to a huge extent by it. Moreover, the online casinos which have teamed up with a leading software supplier are more likely to be fair and trustworthy than the ones which use smaller companies.
Do online casinos use only one software supplier?
Some online casinos are in partnership with more than one software supplier in an attempt to provide more games that have spectacular graphics and exclusive features. As a result, their game selection is often impressively diverse which enables players of all types to find the game that suits their personal preferences best. However, you shouldn’t assume in any case that the online casinos which have opted for only one software provider are not worth visiting, especially if they have teamed up with a reputable software company.
Is there a way to check whether the casino software is worthwhile or not?
In order to see for yourself how good the casino software truly is, you can simply try some of the games in fun play. This way, you can get a general idea of the online casino and the software provider and you can draw a conclusion whether you like them or not. It is entirely risk-free to play a favourite casino game in practice mode which makes this option perfect for players who want to test the casino software and its games.
Is it necessary to download the casino software in order to play?
In most cases, it’s not. A number of online casinos offer players the chance to take advantage of the Instant Play mode. This means that you can enjoy Slots, Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette and other casino games without having to download any software. In order to play online at such casinos, you should simply access their website through your most convenient browser.
Which version is better – Instant Play Flash casinos or Download casinos?
The answer to this question depends on your personal preferences as both versions offer various advantages. On the one hand, if you choose the first option, you will be able to play many casino games without going through the hassle of downloading the casino software. This way, you will save time and you will prevent your device from any potential threats such as viruses. Moreover, Instant Play Flash casinos give you the freedom to play on various computers or mobile devices without any preparation in advance.
On the other hand, if you opt for the second option, you will be able to enjoy a broad selection of casino games which have slightly better visual effects and graphics. Also, you will be able to get a smooth online gambling experience as you are unlikely to experience any technical issues since the platform is more stable. Furthermore, in some cases, Download casinos offer more games in comparison to their Flash counterparts.